(Clarksdale, Mississippi) — The Interpersonal Violence Program continues to make a national impact through leadership, innovation, and strategic collaboration. Kenneth Gooden, Project Director for the program, was recently featured in two prestigious national initiatives and led efforts that positioned Coahoma as a thought leader in violence prevention and campus safety.
On May 21, 2025, Gooden was selected as one of four panelists for the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) TTI 2 FY24 Project Director Virtual Meeting. The peer-to-peer panel discussion focused on sharing skills, promising practices, and strategic recommendations to enhance grant implementation on college campuses. Gooden shared Coahoma’s approaches to addressing interpersonal violence, including building supportive campus networks and fostering community collaboration. Other panelists included representatives from St. Bonaventure University, Lewis University, and Union College.
Earlier in the month, on May 12, 2025, Coahoma hosted a filming session for the National Organization for Victim Advocacy’s (NOVA) Coordinated Community Response (CCR) Video Project. Gooden was one of five experts selected nationwide to participate in the video series, which is being developed as a Train-the-Trainer resource for campuses addressing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Filmed on Coahoma’s campus, the project emphasized the value of team leadership, survivor-centered work, and collective action. Other video participants included leaders from Mississippi State University, Spelman College, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and St. John’s University.
Additionally, the Interpersonal Violence Program is proud to announce its selection for the Unscripted Campaign, an initiative of CATAPULT Campus Action for Healthy Manhood. Running during the 2025–2026 academic year, Unscripted is a national campaign aimed at cultivating healthier forms of manhood through storytelling, accountability, and care. Coahoma will be one of just 10 institutions participating, with support from CATAPULT to host student-centered events, develop leadership, and foster critical conversations around gender, identity, and community impact.
“These recognitions reflect the meaningful and transformative work happening right here at Coahoma,” said Gooden. “Our team is committed to creating a safe, supportive environment where every student feels seen, heard, and empowered.”
For more information about the Interpersonal Violence Program, please contact Kenneth Gooden at kgooden@coahomacc.edu.